Pakistan decides to back China in Saudi-Qatar dispute

After much deliberation, Pakistan has finally decided to pick the Chinese side in the ongoing tussle between the Saudi-led bloc of countries against Qatar.

“It was a tough decision as we do not want to offend any of the two sides in this conflict,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, at a press conference. “But it was also made very clear to Pakistan by both sides that we had to pick a side to back.”

“Therefore, after much deliberation, the government has decided to back China in this tussle,” he continued. “Does this mean we will attract the ire of Saudi Arabia and Qatar? Maybe. Does this expression of alliance even make any sense in the current scenario? Perhaps not. It is a bold choice indeed but one that we are going to make.”

Tentatively called the “Option (C): None of the above” doctrine, the policy is a brainchild of former information minister Mushahid Hussain Syed. Though the current situation in the middle-east isn’t in place when he was in government, but the general purpose rubric of backing China whenever in doubt is gaining traction. This development extends not just to foreign policy.

“I was pleased to see this policy extend to other areas,” said Syed, speaking exclusively to The Dependent. “Last year, while settling an irrigation dispute between the Sindh and Punjab governments, the federal arbitration committee ruled in favour of China.”